Apparatus and Method for Managing the Performance of an Electronic Device

1. A method for use in managing electronic devices, including server computers, comprising the steps of: collecting and analyzing historic resource utilization data relating to a plurality of servers, said resource utilization data representing the load placed on a set of finite resources over a predefined period of time; storing said resource utilization data on a storage device; processing said resource utilization data and generating a plurality of forecasts including at least one resource utilization forecast for each server; assigning a threshold value for use in identifying servers whose forecasted resource utilization exceeds said threshold value within said predefined period of time; identifying the earliest forecasted date said threshold is exceeded for each said server; sorting said forecasts by said dates, identifying those that are in the greatest need of prompt attention to prevent a failure or performance degradation; and performing an act to prevent a failure or performance degradation of said servers, said act comprising at least one of: (a) performing further analysis with respect to said servers, and (b) adjusting one of the workload and the capability of said servers.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the additional step of: generating a graphical display of one or more of said forecasts.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of forecasts are generated via statistical analysis of said performance data.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the additional steps of: modeling performance data provided by said selected forecast; and adjusting said threshold value based upon the results of said modeling.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the additional step of: subjecting said electronic device to additional analysis utilizing said adjusted threshold.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said selected forecast comprises the forecast representing an acceptable level of performance degradation associated with said electronic device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said selected forecast comprises the most conservative forecast of said plurality of forecasts.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the additional step of: validating said selected forecast.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the additional steps of: determining a device type associated with said electronic device being analyzed; and adjusting the statistical analysis being applied to said electronic device based upon said device type.